August 23, 2021
We hope that you and the members of your families and communities are safe and well.
Holding high hopes that the effects of the SARS-2 virus were waning, and that national conditions would permit the safe and effective conduct of the 2021 Annual Meeting in St. Louis, on May 14, 2021, NASAD announced the availability of online registration and provided detailed information regarding the 2021 Annual Meeting. Understanding the need to remain cognizant of the critical issues facing the nation, and art and design administrators and their institutions, NASAD throughout these months has continued to carefully monitor and consider current realities faced by its membership and constituencies, and viable options as they may pertain to the disposition of the 2021 Annual Meeting. NASAD continues to remain committed to providing to members and constituents clear, cogent, and accurate information as it becomes available, and ensuring within its means the safety and well-being of its members and constituents.
After careful and thorough consideration of and attention to issues before the Association at this time, given current conditions and future projections, the NASAD Board of Directors voted to cancel all on-site aspects of the 2021 Annual Meeting, including the meetings of the Commission on Accreditation, Executive Committee, Board of Directors and membership; all pre-meeting workshops; and all professional development sessions, which were scheduled to take place October 9–16, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.
It is with deep sadness and a profound sense of loss that we offer this confirmation at this time. The NASAD Annual Meeting is a welcomed and anticipated opportunity for individuals to connect, communicate, and broaden understandings and awareness of salient issues. It is also a time to come together in community—to challenge our minds, expand our hearts, and enrich our souls. Therefore, the need to entertain a decision to cancel this meeting was approached with a great depth of care.
Each Annual Meeting serves as a venue which enables the Association to conduct in person its business and provide to art and design administrators information which assists them to address local and national realities. Although the 2021 Annual Meeting will not be held in person, the Association will conduct through electronic means the business meetings of the membership, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and Commission on Accreditation for the purpose of carrying out their respective responsibilities and duties. These meetings will be conducted in October of 2021 aligned with the time frames in which they were originally scheduled. Further information will be provided to the members of the Executive Committee, Board, and Commission, and to the membership shortly.
NASAD offers appreciation to those individuals slated to participate in the 2021 program. Subsequent to this announcement, NASAD will communicate personally with program personnel.
NASAD reviewed the possibility of streaming the 2021 Annual Meeting. However, it quickly became evident that the costs associated with such an endeavor were well beyond NASAD’s financial means.
NASAD will continue its efforts to provide throughout the year professional development sessions and will offer information as it becomes available regarding such opportunities.
Should you hold a reservation with the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch for the 2021 Annual Meeting, we ask please that you contact the hotel directly and without pause to confirm cancellation. Should any issues arise, please communicate directly with Lisa Ostrich (lostrich@arts-accredit.org) in the National Office. NASAD will promptly refund paid 2021 Annual Meeting registration fees.
The onset in late July of a new variant and an uptick in COVID-19 illnesses presented to NASAD a clear indication of the potential risks associated with an on-site event. It is understood that registrants will face the need to amend plans and schedules. NASAD extends its deepest apologies for any inconvenience this decision may cause.
Thank you for the continuing support and patience offered to NASAD as it continues its work during these challenging times. Thank you also for your unfailing and monumental efforts to advance the education and training of students enrolled in art and design study.
The staff of NASAD welcomes inquiries and questions and stands ready to provide assistance to individuals and institutions. Please do not hesitate to reach out directly.
Kind regards.